These days a website is like an identity card for your brand or business. There is cutthroat competition in the digital market and an active online presence is a must. A well-developed website is a prerequisite to entering the digital world. This is where web development becomes crucial. The expertise of a web developer is necessary to create a visually appealing and functional website. However, choosing between a web development company and a freelancer is a tough choice to make.
With so many freelancers offering the same level of expertise and services, you too might face similar confusion! Well, there are a few factors to consider when choosing between a web development company in Mumbai and a freelancer.
Factors To Consider When Choosing Between a Web Development Company and a Freelancer
- Project size and its complexity
Assess the size of the project, its complexity, and the level of expertise it needs. If your project requires diverse expertise, it is better to rely on a web development company whereas if your project is simple, you can opt for a freelancer.
- Check your budget
Most web development companies offer diverse services at a package cost depending on your requirements. Moreover, a web development company can provide more comprehensive support as compared to a freelancer.
Freelancers, on the other hand, may have hourly charges and can be more budget-friendly as compared to web development companies.
- Consider the project timeline
A web development company in Mumbai has several teams to take on multiple projects at a time because of the workforce. So, if you have a strict deadline for your project, it is better to opt for a web development company.
Freelancers are easier to coordinate with and offer more flexibility when it comes to urgent requirements and changes. Freelancers can also adapt to changes in the project requirements quickly!
- Level of expertise
Every project requires a diverse set of skills. It all depends on the skills and tasks your project needs. If you require more than one service for your project then a web development company might be more appropriate but if your project requires a specific skill set then you can search for a freelancer who has expertise in the same.
- Ease of communication
A web development company in Mumbai will have designated professionals for each project task. Freelancers offer more direct communication because in most cases they are managing projects singlehandedly. In a web development company, there could be multiple layers of communication that could be more systematic. However, for quick updates and immediate changes, freelancers offer better direct communication.
- Support and maintenance
Most web development companies provide maintenance packages if you are looking for long-term support and maintenance for your project. A freelancer may or may not provide this service. So, make sure to clarify the same before choosing one of the two!
Carefully assess the above-mentioned factors to choose between a web development company and a freelancer. Additionally, it is also helpful to take interviews, request quotes, and put forth your project requirements to decide better.
Now that we know the base points to keep in mind, let’s understand the pros and cons of hiring a web development company in Mumbai and a freelancer.
Web Development Company: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Diverse services and expertise
Most web development companies these days offer a wide range of services. In addition to web development, the company may also have teams for branding, social media marketing, email marketing, and so on. Likewise, the company may have specific teams for design, front-end development, web security, and back-end development. Hiring a web development company can give you access to a variety of services that can be beneficial for your website.
- Long-term assistance
In most cases, people turn to web development companies because they want long-term support and assistance for their websites. Right from ongoing website development and maintenance to future developments, you can rely on a company for everything.
- Reliable quality assurance
A web development company has specific processes in place to resolve website bugs. These systems also help check the website’s overall functionality.
- Accountability
A web development company handles several clients in one go which simply means they need to uphold their reputation. This is why a company is more likely to adhere to deadlines and provide a high level of assistance.
Cons:
- Lack of personal attention
With so many clients, it often becomes difficult for a web development company to pay personal attention to each client. If your project has several specifications then you may find it difficult to communicate and even the progress of the project might be slow. This is because there are multiple teams involved in the project and several approvals in the process.
- Less flexibility
Not all but several web development companies are rigid about their workflow and processes which can get in the way of your specific project needs. The company might also have issues if you give them immediate changes.
- Not very budget-friendly
Hiring a company for web development services can get pricey. With different teams putting in their expertise, companies are bound to charge you higher as compared to a freelancer.
Freelancer: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Focused expertise
A freelancer might not have expertise in all the areas of website development but will offer a focused expertise. If you have a project that needs specific web development skills, then you can rely on a freelancer. With specific skills, freelancers are often able to provide better services.
- Flexible working schedule
Freelancers are usually available whenever required. This is quite helpful if you are located in a different time zone. The flexible working schedule also helps a lot if you have any urgent service requests and changes for your project.
- Attention to detail
Freelancers can give your project complete attention because they are solely responsible for the outcome and do not have numerous teams involved. This can also help in making quicker decisions. If your project has several specific requirements then a freelancer can give it a more personalised approach.
- Cost-effective
For small businesses and startups who are looking for web development services for specific projects, freelancers can be quite useful and easy on the pocket. Most freelancers charge project-wise on an hourly basis which can be cost-effective.
Cons:
- Limited scalability
A freelancer usually handles projects singlehandedly which reduces the amount of work he/she can accomplish. If the project is extremely time-consuming and requires too long to complete, it will be difficult for a freelancer to work on the same.
- Possibility of imbalance between the time given to your project and others
There may be issues regarding deadlines because sometimes your project might take a backseat if the freelancer is already tied up with another task. However, most freelancers these days give a tentative timeline in advance if they are working on multiple projects.
- Lack of backup
Usually, freelancers do not have a team they can rely on for emergencies. In their absence, there is no backup team to step in which can create issues in case the freelancer is not available due to any reason.
Whether a freelancer or a web development company, the success of a project depends on the expertise and commitment of the professional. Choose as per your project requirements and make sure to review the portfolio to get a better idea.
Looking for website design and maintenance services? Get in touch with us at Rank My Business today to learn more about our web development services.
